Mayo youth claims stabbing of 17-year-old was 'an accident'

A YOUTH died from a single stab wound inflicted by another teenager in the garden of a house in Claremorris in the early hours of December 19, 2015, a court was told today.

The victim of the attack was Dovydas Jenkas (17), Claremount Manor, Claremorris, who was attending the local St. Colman's College.

A youth has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Castlebar, charged with murder.

The accused, a minor, who denies murdering Mr. Jenkas, cannot be named for legal reasons.

Opening the case before Mr. Justice Paul Butler, prosecuting counsel Patrick McGrath said the victim and the accused knew each other.

Mr. McGrath said the victim sustained a single stab wound causing rapid lung collapse.

Mr. Jenkas died at the scene despite efforts by a local person and paramedics to save him.

Counsel said the accused was shocked and crying when gardai and paramedics repeatedly asking: “What did I do?”

After being arrested the accused told gardai he never intended to stab the deceased, that he had a knife to 'scare him' and that what happened was 'an accident'.

The trial is continuing.